Rust and paint chips

[rocket21]

2005 Toyota Tacoma Silver purchased in July, June build date if I recall, Access Cab, 6spd, off road package.
Well, it finally bit me...was handwashing my truck today (now that the winter appears to be over in NE) and surprise!

A lot has been said about the paint chipping issue...the threads seem to be a bit outdated...has anyone come up with a solution? I have two in the middle of the hood and one on the front of it - nothing in the fender flare/bottom of doors that I have noticed (can't stomach to look much more though...plus there's orange peel like paint for the first 6-8" of the truck for some reason). The chips are through the paint and into the primer...one of them is actually starting to rust a little.

Also I think I see some paint bubbling on the drivers side behind the rear bumper...its smooth on the passenger's side.

The other issue is rusting - I had noticed last summer that the tie down clamps were rusting, but that was about it. I now have a large rust spot near my liscense plate, as well as a *tremendous* amount of rust splotches all over the paint - sides and tailgate. They mostly rub off, but I've never seen this before.

I can't say I offroad really...also it's parked in a garage nightly, next to a 2004 Silver Jeep Liberty (absolutely no rust or chips).

Between these two problems, a broken passenger door (day 1!), the rear spring problem, a continuously squeaking clutch (even after they grease it), and the engine ticking problem (will see if they'll do that TSB), I'm not a happy camper. Fortunately I found this chipping/rusting on a Sunday, gives me a day to cool down before I go there.

Any ideas about the paint issue?

Sorry that some of the photos are blurry - something's up with my camera.

[crusty]

I too have a few paint chips on my truck, some on the doors ,on the roof and hood.I have one chip just above my windshield and it has a rust spot. I took it and showed it to a toyota service manager. The only thing he said about it was " Touchup paint will takecare of it " in so many words. Don't look for to much help with it. Just saw the photos and
__________________

[ronk44]

You can't use touch up paint on rust spots. You should have no rust this fast.

The truck has a warranty, explain that loudly and make them fix it! If unsuccesful, try another dealer or call the regional representative.

[6 Brzina]

Originally Posted by rocket21

...plus there's orange peel like paint for the first 6-8" of the truck for some reason).

That's not a paint defect, it's actually undercoating with paint over it.

[Pb]

I could fix all that stuff in a couple hours. A couple paint chips is easy.

Are those rust spots that are on the tailgate, is the rust on top of the paint? Or is the rust a result of a paint chip? If it's on top of the paint, then that just means that you have some metal contaminants on top of you paint. You need to clay and polish, and keep your truck washed every week. This is common in Industrial areas.

My tie downs started to do the same thing inside the bolt head, so I cleaned it, and filled it with black RTV silicone. No water in there, no rust.

The bumper is probably just surface rust. They will probably clean the rust off with an abrasive compound. See if they will put a clear coat overtop of it, to keep that from happening again.

[rocket21]

The bumper rust appears to be surface, from the liscense plate bolts, thank you for the idea about the tie down clamps, I'll try that...after I talk to the guys at Toyota (want to emphasize the rust on multiple parts of the truck).

The paint chips worry me because I can see where they're starting to flake too. The one on the front of the hood has some rust just starting.

The thing that worries me big time is those rust spots everywhere - at first I was thinking maybe brake fragments or something, but the rust spots are also in front of the front wheel well...it looks like someone took a paintbrush with rust coloured paint and flicked the bristles all over the sides of the vehicle. Most of them scrub off, but it appears to be very small chips in the paint rusting - the rust may not be on top of the paint like I had thought.

There's also some rusting underneath the truck, as well as on the 'chrome' tailpipe...it all seems excessive, especially next to a 2003 (error when I said 2004) silver Jeep Liberty.

I drove a 1994 Jeep Cherokee for years, didn't even park it in a garage...never a *single* drop of rust anywhere on it.

This has definitely ruined my Easter!

[rocket21]

Here's a better example of the rust spots:

[lifeisfun]

Is the garage heated ?
The best rust protection is to keep the truck in cold ( -5C or less)
and when the weather is warm then use car wash to get rid of salt....

I'm still thinking to get the rust protection with lifetime warranty from my dealer ...

[rocket21]

The garage is kept above freezing all winter...I didn't notice the rust spots until today, so my guess is they've developed in the last few weeks.

[Pb]

Originally Posted by rocket21

Here's a better example of the rust spots:

To me, that looks like rust from surface contaminants. Clay and polish it off, and then see if it comes back in the same spots.

[rocket21]

That's what I thought too, but some seem to be not on the surface but in really tiny chips. The thing that worries me is that I'm at 23k miles and probably due to hit 36k before the year is over - don't want to be sitting on a lemon with no warrantee

[TheKneebiter]

Those rust spots that are all over are rusted microscopic metal from plows over the winter . The metal goes airborne when they plow the streets and it lands on the paint and starts to rust . its on all cars but light colors show it more . My buddy had a white f250 and almost traded it in because he thought his entire truck was rusting untill i looked at it and told him Its not rust on the truck and I could get rid of it in an hour . I clayed his truck and put a coat of zaino on it and he was thrilled . The chips on the hood are most likely from a stone . You can buy a rust eraser pen . It looks like a pen and the tip has a piece of fiber that you use to clean out the chip . Then you apply touchup . If you take your time and do the touchup in thin coats over a few days it will look fine . You can even polish it after it has cured and it will be almost invisable .

[rocket21]

The plow pieces makes sense...I've been trying to figure out what foreign matter that was. I worry that some of it has pierced the paint...I think the thing that has me worried is that the touchless car wash - twice - didn't help one bit. Scrubbing (ya I know, bad idea, but wanted to try) got rid of most if it where I tried.

Considering I have three chips on my hood...should I bring this to the dealer and have them look? I worry because of the '05 paint problems...

[TheKneebiter]

i dont think that the dealer will do much . also not all 05's have paint problems . where in mass are you ? if you are close i can help you out .

[Pb]

If you have the actual paint chipping issue, it will show up around the rocker panels and fenders.